2026 Myrtle Beach Rental Trends: A Shift You Didn't Expect
2026 Myrtle Beach Rental Trends: A Shift You Didn't Expect
The Myrtle Beach rental market in 2026 is softening on price but staying relatively resilient on demand, with average asking rents around $1,675 to $1,700, a modest year-over-year decline, and a market that still skews "warm" rather than weak. The surprise is that vacancy and pricing are moving unevenly: apartment rents are easing while short-term and seasonal coastal demand remains active, especially in well-located neighborhoods and condo-heavy submarkets.
What changed in 2026
The biggest shift in the Grand Strand market is that rent growth has lost momentum after several years of pandemic-era re-pricing. Zillow reported an average Myrtle Beach rent of $1,700 in early 2026, down $150 from the prior year, while Redfin showed a median rent of $1,627 with a small month-over-month increase, signaling a market that is stabilizing rather than collapsing. That mix usually means landlords are competing harder on concessions, amenities, and lease flexibility instead of relying on broad rent hikes.
On the apartment side, the 2025 data still points to a cooling trend carried into 2026: RealPage said Myrtle Beach occupancy jumped to 94.6% in June 2025, yet rents still fell 6.8% over the year ending that month. That combination is important because it suggests demand is present, but supply and resident turnover are strong enough to restrain pricing power.
Price levels and direction
The strongest read on rent levels is that Myrtle Beach remains more affordable than many coastal U.S. markets, even after years of growth. Zillow placed the average Myrtle Beach rent at $1,700 and noted that this was 15% below the national average, while its year-over-year change was negative, indicating mild downward pressure rather than a surge. RealPage's June 2025 profile also put effective asking rents near $1,500, reinforcing the idea that the market is sitting in a broad, moderate range instead of a breakout cycle.
| Metric | 2026 Reading | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,675 to $1,700 | Prices are stable to slightly lower. |
| Year-over-year change | -0.5% to about -8% depending on source and property type | Broad market is cooling, especially apartments. |
| Occupancy | 94.6% in June 2025 | Demand remains healthy despite softer rents. |
| National comparison | About 15% below U.S. average | Myrtle Beach still offers relative affordability. |
Neighborhood differences
Local performance in rental neighborhoods is now more important than the citywide average. Rent.com reported 1-bedroom asking rents of about $1,315 in Arrowhead, $1,335 in South Myrtle Beach, $1,353 in Carolina Forest, $1,583 in Myrtlewood, and $1,735 in Arcadian Shores, showing a meaningful spread based on location, lifestyle, and proximity to the coast. That gap matters because renters are increasingly trading a premium for beach access against lower-cost inland or suburban options.
- Arcadian Shores is still one of the most expensive submarkets, driven by coastal proximity and higher-end product.
- Carolina Forest remains attractive to price-sensitive renters looking for newer stock and more space.
- South Myrtle Beach and Arrowhead continue to benefit from value-oriented demand.
- Myrtlewood sits in the middle, often reflecting a balance of location and livability.
Short-term rental signal
The vacation rental segment remains a separate story from long-term apartments. Airbtics reported that a typical Myrtle Beach short-term rental listing was booked 226 nights a year with a 62% occupancy rate, an average daily rate of $168, and annual revenue of about $36,066 in 2023. Even though those figures are not 2026-specific, they show why investor interest has remained strong: the market can still produce meaningful cash flow when units are positioned well and managed tightly.
"Myrtle Beach is not one story in 2026; it is two markets moving at different speeds: a softer long-term rent market and a still-competitive coastal lodging market."
The implication for investors is that condo and STR performance depends heavily on calendars, HOA rules, renovations, and professional management. A unit a few blocks from the beach can behave very differently from a suburban apartment, even if both are technically in Myrtle Beach.
Supply and demand
The inventory picture helps explain the mixed rent trends. Zillow's 2026 rental snapshot showed roughly 326 rentals available in its tracked inventory at one point, while the broader housing market still showed significant for-sale inventory and longer days to pending. When supply is available across both rentals and homes, some households that might have rented instead choose to buy, while others negotiate better lease terms or move to lower-priced submarkets.
RealPage's June 2025 report also noted that Class C rents in Myrtle Beach saw the deepest decline at 11.3%, compared with 5.3% in Class B and just 0.5% in Class A. That pattern usually means the biggest pricing pressure sits in older or more commodity-style product, while premium properties hold value better because renters are still willing to pay for quality, amenities, or location.
Who benefits now
The current tenant market is better than it was during the peak rent spike years. Renters are more likely to find concessions, negotiate renewal terms, and compare multiple neighborhoods before signing. The biggest winners are households that can be flexible on exact location, because inland or slightly off-beach properties are seeing more pricing leverage than the most desirable ocean-adjacent stock.
Landlords are not in distress, but they are more operationally focused. That means the winning play in 2026 is clean units, fast maintenance, strong photos, and realistic pricing rather than aspirational listings that sit empty. For seasonal owners, the data says that active management matters more than ever.
- Price to the local submarket, not just the city average.
- Track occupancy weekly during peak booking months.
- Offer concessions before making large permanent cuts.
- Invest in presentation, because good units still lease faster.
- Separate long-term and short-term strategies, since they are behaving differently.
What to watch next
The next turn in the Myrtle Beach market will likely come from three forces: new supply, interest rates, and tourism volume. If apartment deliveries stay elevated, rent growth may stay flat or negative. If financing costs ease and buyer demand improves, some renter households may exit the rental pool, which could support pricing later in the year.
Seasonality will also matter more in 2026 than in a typical inland market. Myrtle Beach rental demand often strengthens around spring and summer travel windows, so the same unit can look weak in winter and tight by mid-season. That makes month-to-month data more useful than annual averages for owners trying to forecast cash flow.
Practical reading
For renters, the current market setup favors negotiation, especially outside the most desirable coastal pockets. For landlords, 2026 is a reminder that Myrtle Beach is still a good rental city, but not a simple one, because the strongest demand does not automatically translate into higher rents. The market is healthiest where pricing is realistic and the product matches the tenant base.
Market outlook
The overall 2026 outlook is measured optimism, not exuberance. Myrtle Beach is still attractive because it combines coastal demand, relative affordability, and strong tourism, but the rental market is maturing into a more balanced environment where underwriting and operations matter more than simple appreciation bets. That is the shift many owners did not expect: the market is not weakening uniformly, it is stratifying.
Helpful tips and tricks for 2026 Myrtle Beach Rental Market Trends
Is Myrtle Beach a good rental market in 2026?
Yes, but it is a selective one. Long-term rentals are stable with modest rent pressure, while short-term rentals remain viable in the right locations and with professional management.
Are rents going up or down in Myrtle Beach?
They are mostly flat to slightly down in 2026, with some neighborhood-level exceptions. Apartment data shows softness, while certain coastal and seasonal properties still perform well.
Which areas are most affordable?
Arrowhead, South Myrtle Beach, and Carolina Forest are among the more affordable rental areas based on recent neighborhood data. Arcadian Shores remains among the priciest submarkets.
What type of property is under the most pressure?
Older Class C and commodity-style rentals appear to face the most price pressure. Higher-quality Class A properties have held up better.
What should investors expect this year?
Expect steady but uneven performance. The best results will likely come from units with strong locations, solid finishes, and realistic pricing rather than broad market appreciation.